Freshen Up

Simple and clean. This place made my day after spending our last day on the coast hiking and at the beach before a six hour red eye home. After a lot of interesting googling on how to shower when your on the road/​homeless/​in a band on tour this place came up and I could not have been happier. They gave you shampoo and towels and shower shoes so u didn’t have to break out your carryon stuff. It’s in the international terminal near the food court right off the tram from rental parking. International terminal is next to terminal 3 which is united so it was convenient.

I’m so glad this place exists… tho’ I’m not sure I want the world to find it since then I might have to wait in line for a shower. Nothing nicer than to take a shower just before or after a transpacific flight while you’re waiting for/​coming from a domestic connection. This place is a little worn and ever so slightly grungy, but you yourself won’t be feeling that way after you’ve freshened up with a shower, right? They provide soap and shampoo for free, as well as towels and shower slippers, and sell a variety of toiletries in travel sizes if you didn’t bring what you need in your carry-​on.

This place is pretty awesome. I work at SFO and sometimes I don’t feel like commuting (by BART) back to the east bay. I work pretty late and have to be up early anyways. So sometimes I’ll just catch some sleep in the quiet parts of the terminal. This place opens up at 6am and that gives me just enough time for a quick shower because I start at 630. I work in the international terminal where Freshen Up is located so it’s convenient. It’s also nice getting a discount, employees only pay 10 bucks. But honestly it’s worth the full 15. The showers are a lot cleaner than I expected. The whole place is really tidy which allows for good peace of mind. The employees are very nice too. The massage chairs are also pretty good for relieving muscle tension. I would recommend to anyone and everyone. You know you want to shower ASAP after flying for 10+ hours and still having a 5 hour layover at SFO… Freshen Up is the place to go to get rid of your «long flight swamp ass».

Freshen up is a place where you can take a nice shower before your trip or during that terribly long transit.
I’ll hop right into reviews! The bathroom is somewhat clean. It’s your usual college dorm styled bath room.
They charge a $ 15 fee for shower, soaps, towels and disposable flipflops and use of their massage chair.
I was going to give them 4 stars because it’s really awesome to get a nice shower during a super long transit, but after my shower I was shocked to find out that they do not provide a hairdryer. Instead after your shower (when you ask) they would rent one to your for $ 3. Now … Needless to say that was an unpleasant surprise since you’d expect that to be part of the package. That’s like going into a toilet and then being charged for toilet paper!
Apart from that negative experience, nothing really beats a good shower!

We had a 6 Hour flight from Boston, a 10 hour layover in San Fran, before a 14 Hour flight to New Zealand, and another 2 hour flight to our final destination. Can you imagine how we would have smelt/​looked/​felt after all that travel?
Thankfully, Freshen up saved the day! The best idea EVER. every airport should have one! We showed up and it was very low key. there wasn’t really much too it. They have lots of shampoo/​conditioner/​lotion/​shaving/​bathing/​toiletry up for purchase. The prices are very reasonable, for $ 15, we got towels, hair dryer, soap, shampoo, massage chair.
Before going in, Greg and I joked about how awkward it be if a couple came and asked to shower together. To our amusement, she actually required that we use the same shower… of course after asking us if it was okay. Imagine if that was like. your business partner? Hysterical. She said otherwise we would have to wait 20 min for the other showers to be cleaned! She also said that this would give us a full hour for use of the facilities.
It was so easy, affordable, clean, relaxing. Let me repeat, every airport should have one. Every traveler going through SFO should indulge.

A couple things bugged me about this place
1. It is located outside security
2. The room is OK but not that clean. Basically, looking around, you definitely want to use the shower shoes. The only other time I’ve taken a shower at an airport is in the ANA lounge at NRT so maybe my standards are too high for cleanliness.
3. The water temp/​pressure is very poor. At very low pressure I can get optimal temperature water. When I turn the knob up more to get a higher pressure, the water is burning hot.
However, in the end, I got a shower and do feel «freshen up».

If you feel icky after your flight,
and need a shower to set you right,
this is the place to wash your hair,
so that on your layover, no one will stare.
I went here for the second time recently, after a 10-​hour flight (and before a 7-​hour layover).
I think the prices are pretty fair. They have a couple of options, and the longest one is 30 minutes for $ 15, which includes towels, hair dryer, soap, shampoo etc. If there had been a longer option, I would have gladly paid for it, but they allowed me to stay as long as I needed to put my makeup on and dry my hair (there were no customers waiting, which I’m sure would have made a difference).
Water was plenty hot, and the pressure was fine. They also provide disposable slippers to wear inside the shower.
I was considering giving a lukewarm review, because it’s really not as clean-​looking as it could be… and there is no laundry facility visible there at the shop, so I can’t help but wonder how well they sanitize the towels. But then when they let me stay in the room for an extra 20 minutes, I suddenly realized that the only cash I had on hand was KRW.
I felt like it would be rude to tip in foreign currency, so I asked her on the way out if I could add a tip to my credit card. She adamantly said don’t worry about it, and gave me a hug. How sweet! The lady who ran the place the last time I was there (in 2011) was not very nice, so this pretty much won me over.

Fifteen bucks for a towel pack, shampoo, soap, and a shower. Way way way better than spending 14 hours on an airplane and NOT getting a shower, I’ll tell you that.
I didn’t use anything other than the shower itself, but it was clean enough, had hot water and decent (if not overwhelming) water pressure…

Travel much?
Hate feeling like you’ve run a marathon wearing a plastic bag filled with peat moss?
Freshen Up will hook you up!
The facilities are clean and the folks who run this place are lovely.
Got an important meeting right after your devil’s ass crack of dawn flight and can’t get into the hotel room until after lunch?
Would you like to smell better than your grandpa’s old tennis shoes?
Freshen Up will hook you up!
There are a couple of pricing options.
$ 15.00 gets you a basic shower with towels, shampoo, soap, etc. If you forgot your razor, toothbrush, band aids, underwear, or hair dryer, they are available (for a fairly reasonable price considering the location and circumstances).
$ 22.00 gets you the above plus 30 minutes in the massage chair.
I never have time for the massage chair, anyway.
This should be a standard amenity at every airport.

This is a pretty unique shop at SFO. I went amidst some very lengthy travel for a shower. The shower is a bit expensive at $ 15, but it can be a great relief on long trips. You get a towel, slippers, soap, and shampoo. There are two shower rooms that are cleaned after each use. You have to almost rip the handle out of the wall to get the shower started, so it may be worth asking for help getting it started up front, rather than waiting until you are already inside.

Are you ready to hear the best thing ever??? Well are you?
Showers…at…SFO!!! I travel HEAPS and I have never seen a facility like this. I recently had to fly red eye from Hawaii to SFO (10pm-​landed at 6am, then left at 11am for Canada). I was DESPERATE to «Freshen Up.» I accidentally found the place near the International Security Departures. It was $ 15 for the shower, which also included a basket with three towels (hand, face, body), soap, shampoo and conditioner! You get your own room that included a shower, chair, mirror, trash can and a sink. (NOTE: Only problem, the doors don’t lock!!) You can take as long as you want. HEAVEN! They also sell razors, mouthwash, toothpaste the works. You can also you the ironing board and other amenities they have if you need to.
THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!!! It is not flashy by any means, but it is comfortable and a huge help if you have been traveling and feel grimy! Happy showers!